BCAlbin

Gambler, Point well taken. Sorry if I sounded like I was disagreeing with you. Actually I do agree with you that it is kind of a scam to send someone unsolicited material then expect them to either pay or return it, it just happened to be a scam that I didn't mind too much because I liked the material . But like John in NW PA said, it's the law that that you can keep it. If they send it to you without you asking for it, the risk is on them. Your problem is you're just too darn ethical... ;D BC

I've had similar problems. When I first joined, it took about 2 months for my membership packet to arrive and when I emailed them twice with a question about their web site being a couple of months behind, I never got any responses. Unlike Gambler, however, I actually like the book scam. I called their toll free number to ask some questions about future books and, yes, it's true that the prices do go up to around $22 per book (S&H included), but, I really liked the first book and I can send any book that I don't like back postage pre-paid. The books are nice hardcover and when I consider that I pay $15-20 for a typical paperback at Barnes & Noble, I consider the B.A.S.S. scam a pretty good deal.

I think Mike Iaconelli is just a typical Gen-Xer who happens to be in to bass fishing. Mike is who he is whether he's working on a loading dock, behind a computer, at a skate shop or on a lake. Just watch the X Games some time and you will see where he's coming from. He's obviously a great angler. He reminds me of my younger brother, who is in his late 20's. I think people who have a problem with him probably have the concept of the stereotypical bass angler being from a Bill Dance mold, a well mannered, middle aged, southern gentleman. I grew up watching Bill Dance and I think he's great but I like Ike too. There's room for everybody. Bass Fishing...It's Not Just for Bubba Anymore.

As I just wrote in a similar thread, check your local public library, you might be pleasantly surprised. I went to the public library here in Nashville and unexpectedly found a ton of great bass fishing books, plus you get to read them for free.

Don't forget the two Kevin VanDam/Louie Stout books; Bass Strategies (1995) and Secrets Of A Champion (2002). They're both great books. Also Don't forget about your local public library. My fiancee had to go to the library to get some books for teaching, I tagged along, went to the sports section and found a ton of good bass fishing books, including many of the ones listed above. I've read a few cover to cover and it hasn't cost me a dime.

Glenn & All Members, I've been a member since early January and I'm constantly amazed at the degree of respect that the members of this forum exhibit toward each other. As we all know, we fishermen can be an opinionated lot and yet members seem to always be able to handle disagreements with courtesy and tact. I'm sure that many will agree that this is not always the case in other forums, fishing related or otherwise. I think this is a testimony to Glenn as a moderator and to us as members and I believe that this is why so many who visit here soon become mebers. Plainly stated, I love this site and visit just about every day. Thanks and congratulations to all at this momumental moment and I'm looking forward to the 2000 mark... it shouldn't take long. Brad

Chris, you're a saint ;D, as for me, there's no question, I'll take the lunker...

I'm a professional musician, so fishing is one of my few chances to get away from the job ;D.

Great idea Redtail, never thought of that! I usually pack some high-carb energy bars like Clif bars. They don't really fill you up if you're hungry but they do keep you going 'til you make it to real food.

Guys....This is getting old...

To me, Flippin'/Pitchin' is all about the presentation. When you've got muddy/stained water and the bass are holding tight to cover and you want to quietly and accurately put a lure right in front of their face for a reaction strike, F/P is the way to go. You can work the bait all the way back to the boat if you want, but the strike zone is usually much tighter to the cover in a F/P situation, so you might just be wasting time. By putting the lure right in front of his face then shaking it (especially w/ rattles), you might be able to coax a strike rather than immediately starting your retrieve and consequently moving your lure away from him. The reason you have to be so close with Flippin' is because you're working with a fixed length of line. Pitchin' on the other hand is only limited by how far you can effectively pitch and still get the quiet presentation. A typical maximum pitchin' distance would probably be 25 to 30 feet. My favorites: 3/8 BLK/BLU Jig or T/R 4" GRN Pumpkin Tube. Just my $.02...

KU, Just curious, do you remember there being a noticeable lack of forage on that lake? You say the lake was just opened, does that mean it was fairly new? Had they stocked bass but not baitfish? or at least in adequate quantities? I've never heard of bass being on such a feeding frenzy that their mouths were bloody messes from hitting so many lures. With the lake newly opened, maybe they were crazy because they had never seen the variety of artificial baits that were being presented to them but it sounds like they were starving! I'm sorry for the number of questions, but I am honestly very curious. Answer all, some or none. Thanks...

Tell me what time RW, I'll meet you at the ramp... ;D

Sorry I didn't get a chance to read your post sooner, I was outside...practicing my pitching. ;D

Qmaze, I hate to disagree with you :-[, you being new and all, but, I think the articles to which Roadwarrior is refering are the articles within this website, which, IMHO, are VERY informative and detailed regarding rigging, presentation, etc. I might agree with you in regard to articles on other sites, but a little digging on this site and I think you will be well pleased. I don't know if you've looked here yet: http://www.bassresource.com/fish/tipsindex.html It''s where I got started when I first found this web site and I learned a ton! Hope it helps and welcome to the forums. I hope I wasn't too disagreeable